whom he had placed in fuch habitations as could, neither by length of days, nor decays of nature, be diffolved.

Then they read to him fome of the worthy acts which many of his fervants had done: as how they had subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, efcaped the edge of the fword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Then they read again, in another part of the records of the house, how willing their Lord was to receive into his favour any, even any, though in time past they had offered great affronts to his perfon and proceedings. Here alfo were feveral other histories of many other famous things; of all which Christian had a view: of things both ancient and modern: together with prophecies and predictions of things which have their certain accomplishment; both to the dread and amazement of enemies, and the comfort and folace of pilgrims.

The next day they took him, and had him into the armory, where they fhewed him all manner of furniture,

Christ himself is the Chriftian's armory. When he has put on Chrift he is then completely armed from head to foot. Are his loins girt about with truth? Chrift is the truth: has he on the breaft-plate of righteoufnefs? Chrift is our righteousnefs are his feet fhod with the preparation of the gospel of

peace?

furniture, which their Lord had provided for pilgrims; fuch as fword, shield, helmet, breast-plate, all-prayer, and fhoes which would not wear out. And there was enough to harness out as many men, for the fervice of their Lord, as there are stars in the heaven for multitude.

They also fhewed him fome of the engines with which fome of his fervants had done wonderful things. They fhewed him Mofes's rod; the hammer and nail with which Jael flew Sifera; the pitchers, trumpets, and lamps, with which Gideon put to flight the armies of Midian: they fhewed him the ox's goad, wherewith Shamgar flew fix hundred men: they fhewed him alfo the jaw-bone with which Samfon did fuch mighty feats; they shewed him moreover the fling and stone with which David flew Goliath of Gath; and the fword alfo with which their Lord will kill the man of fin, in the day that he fhall rise up to the prey. They fhewed him befides many excellent things, with

peace? Chrift is our peace: does he take the fhield of faith? Christ is that shield which faith lays hold of, and wherewith Satan's fiery darts can alone be quenched: does he take the helmet of falvation? Chrift is our falvation: does he take the fword of the spirit, which is the Word of God? Chrift is the Word of God. Thus he puts on the Lord Jefus Chrift, from whom receiving the spirit of grace and fupplication, and watching with all perfeverance, he fights the fight of faith, aŭd, in fpite of men, devils, and his own evil heart, he is enabled to lay hold of eternal life, and to hold faft the profession of his faith, even to the end. Thus Chrift is all, and in all.

which Christian was much delighted. This done, they went to their rest again.

Then I faw, in my dream, that on the morrow he got up to go forwards, but they defired him to stay till the next day; and then, faid they, we will (if the day be clear) fhew you the Delectable Mountains; which, they faid, would yet further add to his comfort, because they were nearer the defired haven than the place where at prefent he was: fo he confented and ftaid. When the morning was up, they had him to the top of the house, and bad him look fouthh: fo he did; and behold, at a great distance, he saw a most pleasant mountainous country; beautified with woods, vineyards, fruits of all forts, flowers alfo; with fprings and fountains, very delectable to behold. Then he asked the name of the country. They faid it was Emanuel's Land; and it is as common, faid they, as this hill to all the pilgrims, When thou comest there, thou mayest fee from thence to the gate of the celestial city, as the fhepherds who live there will make it appear.

Now he bethought himself of fetting forward, and they were willing he fhould. But first, said they, let us go again into the armory: fo they did;

h From the top of this palace Christian has a view of the Delectable Mountains. As new profpects open, fo new delights. spring up in the foul: these new delights kindle new defires: thus animated the Chriftian runs the race that is set before him, leaving the things which are behind, and preffing forward to the things which are before.

and

and when he came there, they harneffed him from head to foot with weapons which were proof; left perhaps he should meet with affaults in the way. Being thus accoutred, he walked out with his friends to the gate, and there he asked the porter if he faw any pilgrim pafs by. Then the porter answered, Yes.

Chr. Pray, did you know him?

Port. I afked his name, and he told me it was Faithful?

Chr. O, I know him; he is my townfman, my near neighbour, he comes from the place where I was born. How far do you think he may be before?

· Port. He is got by this time below the hill.

Chr. Well, good Porter, the Lord be with thee, and add to all thy bleffings much increase for the kindness thou haft fhewed to me.

He then began to go forward; but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence, would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. So they went on together, reiterating their former difcourfes, till they came to the defcent of the hill. Then faid Chrif tian, As it was difficult coming up, fo, as far as I can fee, it is dangerous going down. Yes, faid Prudence, fo it is; for it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the Valley of Humiliation, and to catch no flip by the way; therefore, faid they, we came out to accompany thee down the hill. He

began

began to go down; but though very warily, yet he caught a flip or two.

Then I faw, in my dream, that these good companions (when Chriftian was got down to the bottom of the hill) gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a cluster of raifins; and then he went on his way.

But now, in this Valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it. He had He had gone but a little way, before he efpied a foul fiend coming over the field to meet him: his name is Apollyon. Then did Chriftian begin to be afraid, and to caft in his mind whether to go back or to ftand his ground. But he confidered again that he had no armour for his back, and therefore thought, that to turn the back to him might give him greater advantages, so that with ease he might pierce him through with his darts; therefore he refolved to venture, and stand his ground: for, thought he, had I no more in mine eye than the faving of my life, it would be the best way to stand.

So he went on, and Apollyon met him. Now the monster was hideous to behold: he was clothed with fcales like a fish (and they are his pride); he

i Though Chriftian perceived his danger in going down the hill into the Valley of Humiliation, yet he caught a flip or two; and as Paul had a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Sa. tan to buffet him, least he should be puffed up, fo it was with Christian, who, upon entering into this valley, experienced a fharp conflict with Apollyon.

had